Haugen not taking seat on Moorhead School Board

Although he completed the necessary paperwork and was ready to serve, Moorhead School Board member-elect Bryce Haugen said Tuesday that he will not be able to take his seat on the board.

Haugen alerted the board by fax Tuesday afternoon.

The announcement came just a day after it was announced at Monday’s school board meeting that Haugen had completed and returned the necessary paperwork to join the board at its Jan. 10 meeting.

Haugen is currently out of state dealing with mental health issues and said he would not be able to return to Minnesota in time to take the seat.

“I am very stable and able to be on the school board if not for bureaucratic hurdles in the Iowa and Minnesota mental health systems,” Haugen said Tuesday. “Due the fact that I can’t guarantee I’ll be back by Jan. 10, I faxed my resignation letter.”

Board Chairwoman Kristine Thompson confirmed that the school board received a fax from Haugen.

Thompson said she will speak with district administration today to decide the board’s next course of action.

Haugen received the most votes in the Nov. 2 election despite dropping out of the race.